Tamp-and-stir apparatus process therefor

ABSTRACT

A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/196,140, filed on Jul. 23, 2015, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

Disclosed herein are machines for processing pouched products in acontainer, such as tobacco sachets, and methods and systems for theirfinishing and packaging. More particularly, disclosed herein areapparatus, systems and methods of distributing moisture and staining theweb of a plurality of tobacco sachets, followed by lidding thecontainers for the tobacco sachets.

ENVIRONMENT

Tobacco sachets or pouches offer an individual portion of tobacco thatis to be placed under the upper lip for tobacco enjoyment. In theproduction of tobacco sachets, it is desirable that the web of thetobacco sachets be evenly colored and wetted when handled by theconsumer. This uniform color and homogeneous moisture level in eachindividual package or can is an important characteristic of the productappearing fresh and new. Typically, tobacco sachets are loaded into canswhich are individually and sequentially processed for distribution andsale at a high speed.

It would be desirable to provide an apparatus, system and method forfinishing and packaging tobacco sachets at higher than conventionalspeeds.

However, some manufacturers of webs for forming the tobacco sachets addvarious processing and/or finishing materials to the web sheets whichcan interfere with wicking of moisture from tobacco sachets and thusresult in uneven coloring of the sachets. Currently, when using suchfinished webs for forming sachets, a tobacco sachet manufacturer canonly hope that the coloring of the web becomes uniform during shippingand/or storage, prior to the consumer purchasing the product.

Thus, it would likewise be desirable to provide a machine and a processfor tamping and stirring tobacco sachets in a can, such that the sachetsare evenly distributed in the can and provided with a uniform colorthroughout the surrounding webs thereof, prior to final packaging andshipping.

SUMMARY

Provided is a machine for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising aplurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveablechambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyormeans disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, verticallymoveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and incommunication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers throughthe conveyor means.

In one form, each of the multi-functional, vertically moveable chamberscomprises a compression head, a liquid spray nozzle, and a gasdistribution nozzle.

In another form, the machine comprises from two to twelve of themulti-functional, vertically moveable chambers.

In yet another form, the fluid sealing means of the multi-functional,vertically moveable chambers are structured and arranged to fluidly sealtop portions of tobacco sachet cans disposed on the conveyor means.

In still yet another form, the fluid sealing means comprises chamferedperimeters around the lower portion of the multi-functional, verticallymoveable chambers.

In a further form, the conveyor means comprises a pair of spiral feedscrews and a cleated belt.

Additionally provided is a process of packaging tobacco sachets,comprising providing a plurality of cans containing tobacco sachets on aconveyor means disposed below a plurality of linearly arranged,multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealingmeans on lower portions thereof, compressing said tobacco sachets intosaid cans with compression heads extending below said multi-functional,vertically moveable chambers and vertically withdrawing the compressionheads, engaging the fluid sealing means with upper perimeters of thecans to seal the cans against fluid leakage, spraying water or aproprietary fluid onto the tobacco sachets, the water or proprietaryfluid dispensed from liquid spray nozzles in the multi-functional,vertically moveable chambers, stirring the tobacco sachets withpressurized air dispensed from gas distribution nozzles in themulti-functional, vertically moveable chambers, disengaging the fluidsealing means from the upper perimeters of the cans, and moving the cansto a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication withthe plurality of vertically moveable chambers through said conveyormeans.

In one form, the process further comprises compressing the tobaccosachets in the cans with the compression heads after the stirring withair but before disengaging of the fluid sealing means.

In another form, from two to twelve cans containing tobacco sachets onthe conveyor means are simultaneously disposed below a correspondingnumber of the linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveablechambers.

In another form, the conveyor means comprises a pair of spiral feedscrews feeding a cleated belt, and each the can is centered laterally onsaid belt and between the cleats.

Advantageously, the spiral screws are structured and arranged toseparate the cans a distance corresponding to a distance between each ofthe plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, verticallymoveable chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The forms disclosed herein are illustrated by way of example, and not byway of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and inwhich like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 presents an overall plan side view of the combined apparatuses,as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 presents an overhead schematic view of a first conveyor means, asdisclosed herein; and

FIGS. 3A through 3E present illustrations of the details and workings ofthe tamp-and-stir apparatus chambers, as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects will now be described with reference to specific formsselected for purposes of illustration. It will be appreciated that thespirit and scope of the apparatus, system and methods disclosed hereinare not limited to the selected forms. Moreover, it is to be noted thatthe figures provided herein are not drawn to any particular proportionor scale, and that many variations can be made to the illustrated forms.Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3E, wherein like numerals are used todesignate like elements throughout.

In general, structures and/or features that are, or are likely to be,included in a given form are indicated in solid lines in the figures,while optional structures and/or features are indicated in broken lines.However, a given form is not required to include all structures and/orfeatures that are illustrated in solid lines therein, and any suitablenumber of such structures and/or features may be omitted from a givenform without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: “a,”“an,” and “the,” as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, aplurality of the stated entity or object, unless otherwise specificallydefined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. For example, the phrases “a device,” “an assembly,” “amechanism,” “a component,” and “an element,” as used herein, may alsorefer to, and encompass, a plurality of devices, a plurality ofassemblies, a plurality of mechanisms, a plurality of components, and aplurality of elements, respectively.

Each of the following terms: “includes,” “including,” “has,” “‘having,”“comprises,” and “comprising,” and, their linguistic or grammaticalvariants, derivatives, and/or conjugates, as used herein, means“including, but not limited to.”

Throughout the illustrative description, the examples, and the appendedclaims, a numerical value of a parameter, feature, object, or dimension,may be stated or described in terms of a numerical range format. It isto be fully understood that the stated numerical range format isprovided for illustrating implementation of the forms disclosed herein,and is not to be understood or construed as inflexibly limiting thescope of the forms disclosed herein.

Moreover, for stating or describing a numerical range, the phrase “in arange of between about a first numerical value and about a secondnumerical value,” is considered equivalent to, and means the same as,the phrase “in a range of from about a first numerical value to about asecond numerical value,” and, thus, the two equivalently meaning phrasesmay be used interchangeably.

It is to be understood that the various forms disclosed herein are notlimited in their application to the details of the order or sequence,and number, of steps or procedures, and sub-steps or sub-procedures, ofoperation or implementation of forms of the method or to the details oftype, composition, construction, arrangement, order and number of thesystem, system sub-units, devices, assemblies, sub-assemblies,mechanisms, structures, components, elements, and configurations, and,peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories, and materials of forms ofthe system, set forth in the following illustrative description,accompanying drawings, and examples, unless otherwise specificallystated herein. The apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein canbe practiced or implemented according to various other alternative formsand in various other alternative ways.

It is also to be understood that all technical and scientific words,terms, and/or phrases, used herein throughout the present disclosurehave either the identical or similar meaning as commonly understood byone of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise specifically definedor stated herein. Phraseology, terminology, and, notation, employedherein throughout the present disclosure are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As discussed above, it is desirable to rapidly produce cans of tobaccosachets having a uniform color throughout the surrounding webs thereofand uniform moisture distribution throughout the tobacco therein, priorto final packaging and shipping.

Disclosed herein is a machine and process that enable high speedprocessing and packaging of tobacco sachets or pouches. The processbegins with a series of cans full of sachets being conveyed, singlefile, to a pair of spiral feed screws that have a separation area in thefirst 8 to 10 inches. In this area cans are separated from touching eachother to provide a distance of about 4 inches between each can andintroduced to a cleated belt, by which the cans progress through themachine. The separation distance between the cans corresponds to thedistance between each of a plurality of, such as from two to twelve,linearly-arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers in atamp-and-stir apparatus under which an equivalent number of cans arestopped. The cans are then clamped against a set of centering guideswhich insures proper alignment under the chambers.

In one form the conveyor means comprises an essentially continuouscleated belt, which inverts itself on rollers at either end of theapparatus. The cleats on the belt help to push the cans through theapparatus. The conveyor means can further comprise a separation device,such as a pair of spiral feed screws, which separates the cans asuitable distance for deposition onto the cleated belt and introductioninto the tamp-and-stir apparatus.

Once the cans are in position under the vertically moveable chambers,compression heads in the form of moveable pistons, having diametersslightly less than those of the cans, extend vertically down through thechambers and make contact with the pouches, “tamping” them into the cansfor further processing, to avoid pouches overlapping the can edges. Inone form, the compression heads can be servo-motor driven. After thesachets are tamped securely in the cans, the pistons are verticallyretracted into the chambers.

The vertical chambers, which are likewise vertically moveable, arelowered into fluid sealing contact with each of the cans. The seal canbe provided by, for example, a chamfered lower circumferential edge ofthe vertical chambers, which are generally cylindrical. However, otherfluid sealing means could be incorporated between the vertical chambersand the cans. The chamfered edge is urged into contact with the lips ofthe cans. This creates an air/water tight seal between the verticalchambers and the cans.

At this point, from about 4 to 8 grams of water or a proprietary fluidare sprayed into the cans and onto the sachets, such as throughapertures in the pistons or through hydraulic injectors mounted in theside walls of the chambers. The chambers are then pneumaticallypressurized, such as to about 30 to 35 psig, to force air throughnozzles or apertures within the compression heads which are directedtoward the pouches, thus pneumatically “stirring” them.

Subsequently, the sachets are again tamped into the cans by thecompression heads, the centering guide clamps are retracted, and theplurality of processed cans are moved downstream by the conveyor meansto a lidding apparatus, where lids are placed and secured on each can.This “tamp-and-stir” process helps to ensure that the sachets and thecontents thereof are evenly exposed to water or the proprietary fluid,so as to provide both moisture to the tobacco contained in the sachetsand satisfying coloring to the fabric of the pouches, and can berepeated as needed.

As will be understood from the description above, the vertical chambersare multi-functional by virtue of having the ability to not only tampthe tobacco sachets in the cans, but also to wet and stir them. Thevertical chambers can also be supplied with a source of pressurizedcleaning air to remove excess fluid or debris from the chambers whennecessary.

Subsequent to the tamp-and-stir process, the conveyor means conveys thefilled cans to a lidding apparatus, where a series of formed lids aresecurely deposited on top of the cans.

FIG. 1 is an overall plan side view of the combined apparatuses, asdisclosed herein. The tamp-and-stir apparatus 100 comprises a conveyormeans including a cleated belt 120, which extends beneath a plurality ofmulti-functional, vertically moveable chambers 310. Carried on the beltis a series of open cans 105 containing tobacco sachets to be processed.The series of cans 105 are moved into a centered-alignment below thechambers 310 and the cleated belt 120 is stopped. Subsequent toprocessing by the multi-functional chambers, which will be described inmore detail below, the open cans progress along cleated belt 120, out ofalignment with the vertical chambers 310 and into a lidding apparatus130, such as provided by Del Packaging, Ltd. of Cypress, Tex., whereinlids for the tobacco sachet cans are applied and compressed onto thecans.

FIG. 2 is an overhead schematic of the upstream, feed side of theapparatus, wherein filled cans 105 moving generally in direction of pathA are fed via a belt or other suitable conveyor 115 into a feed chute118, which constricts the travel path of the cans to single-file. Thecans are then delivered single-file into commercially available parallelspiral feed screws 119, which counter-rotate generally in the directionsB and B′, such that the spiral paths in the feed screws catch the cansand distribute them at suitable distances along path A to conform to thespacing between individual multi-functional chambers 310, such as about4 inches apart. Spaced cans 105 are then deposited between cleats 125onto cleated belt 120 for conveyance into the tamp-and-stir apparatusand below chambers 310.

FIGS. 3A through 3E present illustrations of the details and workings ofthe tamp-and-stir apparatus chambers.

In FIG. 3A, vertical chamber 310 is in its upper position, centered overcan 105, while the compression head in the form of a vertically-actingpiston 311 is shown extended downward in the direction of arrow C intocontact with tobacco sachets (not shown) within can 105, so as to tampthe sachets securely within the walls of the can before furtherprocessing. Chamber 310 has a compressed air inlet 312, connected withflexible tubing (shown in phantom) to a pipe or passage 312 a (also inphantom) extending internally through piston 311 to stirring air exitaperture 313 at the bottom of piston 311. Chamber 310 is also providedwith pressurized water or a proprietary fluid from an external source(not shown) which enters inlet 314, passes through the wall of chamber310 and into a spray nozzle 315. Chamber 310 terminates at its lower endin a chamfered lower circumferential edge 316 structured and arrangedfor sealing against the upper lip portion of can 105. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that variations in the locations of stirring airexit aperture 313 and spray nozzle 315, as well as the manner andlocations for connecting these to outside sources of air and water orproprietary fluid are readily apparent, and as such are not consideredto be outside the scope of the present disclosure. For example, thelocations of apertures 313 and 315 could be reversed, or each could belocated at the lower terminus of piston 311, or both could even becombined into a single aperture with appropriate valving and timing forthe respective fluids.

Subsequently, as depicted in FIG. 3B, piston 311 is withdrawn verticallyin the direction of arrow D into the chamber, and chamber 310 movesvertically downward in the direction of arrows E (FIG. 3C), such thatchamfered lower circumferential edge 316 is gently urged into fluidsealing contact with the upper circumferential edge/lip of can 105. Inthis illustration sealing edge 316 lowers into can 105, but could alsobe configured to have an opposite chamfer, such that sealing edge 316would extend over and outside of the top of can 105. In any case, asuitable fluid seal is established between multi-functional, verticallymoveable chamber 310 and tobacco sachet can 105, after which water or aproprietary fluid spray 315 a is directed over the tobacco sachetswithin the can.

FIG. 3D illustrates the air stirring method effected by chamber 310,wherein after wetting, compressed air from an external source (notshown) enters the chamber at fitting 312, is directed throughpipe/passage 312 a internally down through piston 311 and is forced outof stirring air exit aperture 313 as a stream of pressurized air 313 a,which impinges upon the wet tobacco sachets and randomly forces themaway from the bottom of can 105 and away from each other for a shortperiod of time. The seal created by lower circumferential edge 316 andthe upper lip of can 105 prevents the sachets from being blownhorizontally out of the can.

Subsequently, as depicted in FIG. 3E, chamber 310 is verticallywithdrawn from can 105 in the direction of arrows F, at which time theconveyor 120 is restarted and the plurality of cans are moved into thelidding apparatus 130 (FIG. 1).

Another advantage of the presently disclosed machine is that due to itslinear arrangement, two similar or identical machines can be positionedside-by-side to double the output as compared to a single machine, whenrun simultaneously. In this configuration, the output from bothtamp-and-stir apparatuses can be fed to a single lidding apparatus, ifdesired. Alternatively, one machine can be serviced while the othercontinues processing the products.

The forms disclosed herein, as illustratively described and exemplifiedhereinabove, have several beneficial and advantageous aspects,characteristics, and features. The forms disclosed herein successfullyaddress and overcome shortcomings and limitations, and widen the scope,of currently known teachings with respect to pouch production.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and asecond entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity,and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listedwith “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one ormore” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally bepresent other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or”clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specificallyidentified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/orB,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as“comprising” may refer, in one form, to A only (optionally includingentities other than B); in another form, to B only (optionally includingentities other than A); in yet another form, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other entities). These entities may refer to elements,actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of oneor more entities should be understood to mean at least one entityselected from any one or more of the entity in the list of entities, butnot necessarily including at least one of each and every entityspecifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding anycombinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition alsoallows that entities may optionally be present other than the entitiesspecifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entitiesspecifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least oneof A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or,equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one form, to atleast one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (andoptionally including entities other than B); in another form, to atleast one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (andoptionally including entities other than A); in yet another form, to atleast one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one,optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including otherentities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,”and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive anddisjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at leastone of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B,and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” may mean Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, A, B and C together, and optionally any of the above incombination with at least one other entity.

In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other referencesare incorporated by reference herein and define a term in a manner orare otherwise inconsistent with either the non-incorporated portion ofthe present disclosure or with any of the other incorporated references,the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control,and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control withrespect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or theincorporated disclosure was originally present.

As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that theelement, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intendedto perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and“configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element,component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing agiven function but that the element, component, and/or other subjectmatter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized,programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function.It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements,components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as beingadapted to perform a particular function may additionally oralternatively be described as being configured to perform that function,and vice versa.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that an individual stepof a method recited herein may additionally or alternatively be referredto as a “step for” performing the recited action.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of apparatus, systems and methodsaccording to the present disclosure are presented in the followingenumerated paragraphs. It is within the scope of the present disclosurethat an individual step of a method recited herein, including in thefollowing enumerated paragraphs, may additionally or alternatively bereferred to as a “step for” performing the recited action.

PCT1. A machine for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality oflinearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers havingfluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposedbelow said plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers,and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication withsaid plurality of vertically moveable chambers through said conveyormeans.

PCT2. The machine of paragraph PCT1, wherein each said multi-functional,vertically moveable chamber comprises a compression head, a liquid spraynozzle, and a gas distribution nozzle.

PCT3. The machine of paragraph PCT1 or PCT2, comprising from two totwelve of said multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers.

PCT4. The machine of any of paragraphs PCT1 to PCT3, wherein the fluidsealing means of said multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers arestructured and arranged to fluidly seal top portions of tobacco sachetcans disposed on said conveyor means.

PCT5. The machine of any of paragraphs PCT1 to PCT4, wherein the fluidsealing means comprises chamfered perimeters around the lower portion ofsaid multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers.

PCT6. The machine of any of paragraphs PCT1 to PCT5, wherein saidconveyor means comprises a pair of spiral feed screws and a cleatedbelt.

PCT7. A process of packaging tobacco sachets, comprising providing aplurality of cans containing tobacco sachets on a conveyor meansdisposed below a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional,vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lowerportions thereof, compressing said tobacco sachets into said cans withcompression heads extending below said multi-functional, verticallymoveable chambers and vertically withdrawing the compression heads,engaging said fluid sealing means with upper perimeters of said cans toseal said cans against fluid leakage, spraying water or a proprietaryfluid onto said tobacco sachets, said water or proprietary fluiddispensed from liquid spray nozzles in said multi-functional, verticallymoveable chambers, stirring said tobacco sachets with pressurized airdispensed from gas distribution nozzles in said multi-functional,vertically moveable chambers, disengaging said fluid sealing means fromsaid upper perimeters of said cans, and moving said cans to a liddingapparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with saidplurality of vertically moveable chambers through said conveyor means.

PCT8. The process of paragraph PCT7, further comprising compressing saidtobacco sachets in said cans with said compression heads after saidstirring with air but before disengaging of said fluid sealing means.

PCT9. The process of paragraph PCT7 or PCT8, wherein from two to twelvecans containing tobacco sachets on said conveyor means aresimultaneously disposed below a corresponding number of said linearlyarranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers.

PCT10. The process of any of paragraphs PCT7 to PCT9, wherein saidconveyor means comprises a pair of spiral feed screws feeding a cleatedbelt and each said can is centered laterally on said belt and betweenthe cleats.

PCT11. The process of paragraph PCT10, wherein said spiral screws arestructured and arranged to separate the cans a distance corresponding toa distance between each of the plurality of linearly arranged,multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers.

While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated byreference to particular forms, those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the present disclosure lends itself to variations notnecessarily illustrated herein. For this reason, then, reference shouldbe made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining thetrue scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed:
 1. A machine for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising:a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers being linearlyarranged and vertically moveable, each of the plurality of chambersincluding, a housing, a compression head, a liquid spray nozzle, a gasdistribution nozzle, and a fluid seal on a lower portion thereof, thehousing being vertically movable from a first position to a secondposition, and the compression head being vertically movable independentof the housing such that the compression head may be moved from a firstposition within the housing to a second position protruding from thehousing while the housing is kept in the first position; a conveyordisposed below the plurality of chambers; and a lidding apparatusdisposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality ofchambers through the conveyor.
 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein theplurality of chambers includes two to twelve chambers.
 3. The machine ofclaim 1, wherein the fluid seal of each of the plurality of chambers isconfigured to fluidly seal top portions of cans disposed on theconveyor.
 4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the fluid seal includes achamfered perimeter around a lower portion of the housing of each of theplurality of chambers.
 5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the conveyorincludes a cleated belt.
 6. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:a pair of spiral feed screws.
 7. The machine of claim 1, wherein theliquid spray nozzle is in a vertical wall of the housing of each of theplurality of chambers and the gas distribution nozzle is in thecompression head.
 8. A process of packaging tobacco sachets, comprising:transporting, by a conveyor, a plurality of cans containing tobaccosachets, the conveyor being disposed below a plurality of chambers, theplurality of chambers being linearly arranged, and vertically moveablechambers, each of the plurality of chambers having a fluid seal on alower portion thereof, a housing, a compression head, a liquid spraynozzle, and a gas distribution nozzle; aligning a can of the pluralityof cans with a chamber of the plurality of chambers; moving thecompression head from a first position within the housing to a secondposition protruding from the housing while the housing is kept in thefirst position; compressing, with the compression head, the tobaccosachets into the aligned can, the compression head extending below thechamber; moving the compression head from the second position to thefirst position to vertically withdraw the compression head while thehousing is kept in the first position; engaging the fluid seal with anupper perimeter of the aligned can to seal the aligned can against fluidleakage; spraying water or a proprietary fluid onto the tobacco sachetswith the liquid spray nozzle in the chamber; stirring the tobaccosachets with pressurized air dispensed from the gas distribution nozzlein the chamber; disengaging the fluid seal from the upper perimeter ofthe aligned can; and moving the aligned can to a lidding apparatusdisposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality ofchambers through the conveyor.
 9. The process of claim 8, furthercomprising: compressing the tobacco sachets in the aligned can with thecompression head after the stirring the tobacco sachets with pressurizedair but before the disengaging the fluid seal.
 10. The process of claim9, wherein the aligning includes aligning the plurality of cansincluding a range of two to twelve cans containing tobacco sachets onthe conveyor, and simultaneously disposing the aligned cans below acorresponding number of chambers of the plurality of chambers.
 11. Theprocess of claim 8, wherein the aligning includes aligning the pluralityof cans including a range of two to twelve cans containing tobaccosachets on the conveyor, and simultaneously disposing the aligned cansbelow a corresponding number of chambers of the plurality of chambers.12. The process of claim 11, wherein the conveyor includes a pair ofspiral feed screws, and the moving comprises feeding a cleated beltcontaining a plurality of cleats, each can centered laterally on thebelt and between two of the plurality of cleats.
 13. The process ofclaim 8, wherein the conveyor includes a pair of spiral feed screws, andthe moving comprises feeding a cleated belt containing a plurality ofcleats, each can centered laterally on the belt and between two of theplurality of cleats.
 14. The process of claim 13, wherein the pair ofspiral screws separate the cans a distance corresponding to a distancebetween each of the plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional,vertically moveable chambers.
 15. The process of claim 8, wherein thepair of spiral screws are configured to separate the cans a distancecorresponding to a distance between each of the plurality of chambers.